American independence can be regarded as a revolution, and its theoretical basis mostly comes from the Enlightenment centered on France, such as natural human rights, born free, social contract theory and so on. It can be said that the Enlightenment in continental Europe provided an ideological weapon for the United States to seize power from Britain confidently. More interestingly, in Europe with ideological weapons first, the revolution came later than in the United States. If 1776' s declaration of independence is the symbol of the American revolution, then the French Revolution was later than the United States 13 years. If Britain recognized American independence in 1783 and the French people attacked the Bastille in 1789, the French Revolution broke out only six years later than the American revolution. The time difference is not too far. Before we know how the United States treated the French Revolution, let's first understand how the French treated American independence before the French Revolution.
After the American War of Independence began, Franklin, who was later regarded as one of the founding fathers, was sent to France. Because there was no America then, Franklin was not an ambassador. He used to be a very rich man, but at the moment, he is only famous, all the money has been spent, and the revolutionaries of * * * have failed to collect an activity fee for him. On the way to France, Franklin caught two British businessmen by boat. In a word, there was a war. The goods of British businessmen were confiscated (I don't know if it was a robbery) and sold into cash, which was probably enough for Franklin to spend a month in Paris, which was quite expensive.
Before Franklin arrived in France, some enthusiastic French people had quietly helped American revolutionaries smuggle arms. Although some people say that they are just middlemen and brokers, making war money, French arms do secretly flow to Washington's troops. Only because of Britain, all these arms smuggling are confidential. In the face of British anger, France can only express its ignorance and innocence.
Franklin's greatest achievement after arriving in Paris was that France took the lead in recognizing the United States, which declared its independence. Although the United States was still at war at that time, it was unclear whether it could win the war and become truly independent. This practice of France is based on its long-standing contradiction with Britain. In Napoleon's later words, the 600-year feud between Britain and France is a bit exaggerated, but it is really similar. The French are happy to see the beginning of the British colony. Since France supported a handful of British people, the British must be very angry and immediately declared war on France. After being in a state of war, the transportation of French weapons to the army in Washington does not need to be sneaky. Since then, Spain, the Netherlands and so on. They have declared war on Britain, because they have suffered a lot from the British before, and even the Prussian generals have gone to the United States to help Washington train those farmers. Obviously, Britain has made too many enemies and people are angry.
If France, Spain, the Netherlands and other countries simply use their revenge psychology to explain their support for American independence, it is not enough for France at least. After the publication of the Declaration of Independence, many French people finally found that the ideal of human society designed by Rousseau and others is beginning to come true in North America. Now many people talk about American independence, still full of passion and idealism. At that time, so did the French. Some French soldiers volunteered to go to North America to help Americans against Britain. The intervention of the French regular army made Washington's army get rid of the image of peasant amateur soldiers and start to look like a real army. Franklin borrowed money everywhere in France to buy war materials.
When the French treasury was empty, several Dutch bankers provided millions of dollars in cash to the United States. They just invest, hoping that the United States will get commercial returns from the United States after winning. Spain declared war on Britain, on the one hand, it was revenge, on the other hand, it wanted to take back Gibraltar controlled by the British. However, the British are not an idle generation. They provoked Indians in North America and slaughtered Americans behind their backs, because when the British were the masters of the North American colonies, they killed Indians. Now, the British let the Indians pass on this hatred to the Americans seeking independence, and the Americans launched bloody revenge. Under the influence of various forces, Britain finally gave up. The independence of the United States, in addition to the efforts of the Americans themselves, the help of France is undoubtedly the first.
From 65438 to the beginning of the French Revolution in 0789, Americans looked at everything that happened in France coldly. Jefferson, the drafter of the Declaration of Independence, was accused by Americans as an instigator and instigator, and was deeply poisoned by French thought. Jefferson was also accused of being irrational and not a patriot. At first, the French trapped by the revolution knew nothing about what happened in America. The French Revolution lasted for several years. 1793, French king Louis XVI was executed. 1 month later, Britain organized an anti-French alliance to declare war on the French rabble. We must discuss this British action.
The French Revolution was a real revolution in line with the so-called universal values. Shortly after the Great Revolution, the French promulgated the world's first declaration of human rights, and then promulgated the constitution according to the principle of universal values. After the execution of the king, it became a real democratic Republic. When people sincerely admire Britain's democratic system, how can we explain why Britain, which pursues so-called universal values, has to go to war with France, which also thoroughly pursues universal values? Are their universal values different? How do they explain why Britain, which established democracy, went to war with France, which also established democracy? But also to suppress the French mob and help France restore the monarchy?
Forget about England. The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States are basically derived from the idea of France, which is a brand-new country. When Britain and France went to war, the French naturally thought of the United States, France's strong support for American independence many years ago, and the ideological foundation of the two countries. Therefore, the French want the support of the United States. All those who love universal values such as human rights, democracy and freedom are full of longing, hoping to see these two countries representing human justice become close comrades-in-arms and brothers and jointly fight against the tyranny of democratic Britain. But President Washington declared that the United States strictly maintains absolute neutrality, and no matter what it says or does, it can't fall to either side (Britain and France). You see, the United States does not want to help France because of the same beautiful universal values, and even wants to control freedom of speech.
The French are sending someone right away? Ambassador? Go to America. The United States once signed a treaty with France, recognizing the two sides as allies. The United States should automatically go to war against the enemies of France. American ports are open to France and do not accept ships from hostile countries in France. France? Ambassador? Ask the United States, why not abide by the treaty? The American said coldly: The treaty was originally signed with King Louis XVI of France. Now that the king is dead, the treaty is invalid. It turns out that it is wrong to execute tyrants democratically! France? Ambassador? He was so disappointed that he had to settle for the second best. During the American War of Independence, France helped the United States in many ways, including millions of dollars in loans. France? Ambassador? I hope America can pay back the money. During the war, France needed the money, even if it was only part of it. Hamilton, one of the founders of the American Constitution and one of the founding fathers of the United States, flatly rejected France's demand for debt collection. When is France? Ambassador? Hoping that French ships could only dock in the United States, the State Council sent a rude diplomatic letter to France, asking it to recall the name? Ambassador? .
People on both sides of the Atlantic have found that the country that worships universal values turned out to be a completely despicable country. US President Washington said: Europe has nothing to do with us. Is that really the case? If the United States doesn't help the French Democratic Republic, forget it. What the president said and announced should be valid forever. President Washington just announced. Strictly and absolutely neutral? But what about France? Ambassador? After being recalled, the United States sent representatives to discuss the goodwill between the two countries and the establishment of trade and navigation treaties with Britain. In the Declaration of Independence, Americans who denounced Britain so quickly turned their enemies into friends. Why?
First, France is poorer than Britain, and the United States does not take universal values as the standard of making friends. Second, the French navy is gone, and the United States knows that it needs the ocean, but at that time, the United States did not have a navy, and Britain had a strong navy, so the United States needed the protection of the British navy. Third, this is the most fundamental. If American independence is a revolution, it is actually the handover of political power. The political power originally belonging to the British royal family was transferred to the local property owners, nobles and upper class members in the United States through revolution. Which of the founding fathers of the United States was not rich? The French Revolution handed over the king's power to the general public and real democracy, which the United States did not want to go along with.
The French Revolution continued and the democratic republic was replaced by Napoleon. Napoleon's war needed money. Jefferson, the drafter of the Declaration of Independence, became president, and Americans took a fancy to France's large colonies in North America. 1803, President Jefferson made a deal with Napoleon and bought Louisiana for150,000 dollars, thus doubling the territory of the United States. Napoleon's war machine has expanded countless times. The following year, 1804, Napoleon became emperor. A year later, on 1805, Napoleon won the most important victory in his life, the battle of Austerlitz, and Napoleon became the overlord of Europe from then on.
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Who can explain why the United States, which prides itself on universal values and takes the highest principle as its own responsibility, does not help democratic France, but wants it instead? Help? Dictatorial Napoleon? Is this an investment? If Napoleon had not failed in the end, wouldn't America have benefited more? Napoleon failed, and the British pursued him. Americans only need to come up with a set of reasons for being greedy for money, and they can be forgiven by Britain. After all, it is such a big piece of land. But all this seems to have nothing to do with universal values such as freedom, democracy and human rights. Is the origin of the Enlightenment sad?